William Marion Pennington and Lisle Chandler Updike had little in common when they formed their first working relationship as photographers in Dallas, Texas, in 1906.
Pennington was 32, had a wife and children, and possessed good technical skills with the camera and in the darkroom. Updike, only 16 years old at the time, had grown up with a family that was constantly on the move. Larger in stature and more robust than Pennington, he began his photography career only two years before, at the St. Louis World's Fair. Though he had to supplement his income by making jewelry and telling fortunes, his youthful enthusiasm, adventurous spirit, and determination would bring him success in the photography business.
By 1907, Updike had moved to Durango. A chance encounter with Pennington at Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, led Updike to invite him to move to Durango, and the Pen-Dike Studio was born. They leased space in the Irwin Block at 973 Main, setting up a small studio and living quarters for all of them.
Pennington concentrated on managing the studio, doing portrait work and operating the dark room. Updike took to the road, taking photos in nearby towns and mining camps. Their styles complemented each other, and they built a steady business.
Despite their success, they felt they needed a specialty. Photographing Native Americans and the ruins at the new Mesa Verde National Park would provide a new focus. Winning a government contract to photograph Mesa Verde's ruins boosted their business, but a disastrous trip to Zuni Pueblo resulted in a rift between the two partners. A Zuni headman's son died soon after Updike had photographed him, and the Zunis claimed Updike had stolen his soul.
